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Murri Little

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Overview

From the elevated position of this house, a blissfully unspoilt panorama of uninterrupted countryside as far as the eye can see. Truly breathtaking ! These are probably some of the best views from any house in the area. We have two swimming pools ( one large for swimming - one smaller one for relaxing in ) both with lake views and plenty of sunbathing space, quality sunbeds and fluffy towels

The house has clearly been designed to take full advantage of such fine views, enjoying a full 360 degrees of uninterrupted vistas of the lake to the front and mountains to the sides and to the rear elevation. This means that ALL of the rooms in the house enjoy a fabulous panorama from their own window. This stunning home is in a very private location within a traditional ancient olive grove overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Iznajar in the Subbetica Mountain range.

Lovingly restored over a period of five years from an abandoned ruin into a relaxing and tranquil retreat, this is the perfect place to unwind and recharge your batteries. At an altitude of 850 meters above sea level, this very private, hilltop location is not overlooked by any other property - affording it complete seclusion yet only 2 miles from nearest village. The local highway (motorway) is only a ten minute drive away which gives fast connection to all of the major cities in southern Spain.

The owners love of interior design and artwork is evident everywhere here! Great care and thought has been put into the refurbishment and decoration of this lovely house, with a healthy respect given to the simple vernacular architecture of the original farm house. This is a comfortable, interesting and charming house.

The house wraps itself around a traditional ‘Cordoba style’ inner courtyard (Spanish patio) with a wishing well in the centre and with a good sized shaded open air dining area .There are plants and pots of flowers cascading from the balconies and arranged around the walls. This house is particularly suitable for 2 separate families holidaying together, as the accommodation is in two connected sections, both have separate entrances but are linked by the central courtyard. The property has been totally refurbished to the highest standards ( including WIFI broadband connection) Furnished in country style with family antiques but with new beds, modern bathrooms with powerful showers. Five good sized bedrooms : 1 with king size bed, 2 with twin beds , 2 with double beds ( all rooms have an uninterrupted view of either lake or mountains ) There is an airy and cool characterful Spanish style living room and a well equipped handmade farmhouse style kitchen with open plan dining area. Both reception rooms have cosy wood burning stoves for those cooler evenings (from November through to April). The 3 foot thick stone walls keep the house cool in the hot Spanish summers. There are wooden shutters at all windows for the same reason. Handmade Traditional Terracotta floor tiles throughout. High ceilings and wooden beams in all rooms in the house. We make every effort at Constanza to reduce our carbon footprint and save energy and fuel. We utilise the energy from the sun and have installed equipment to produce both our own electricity and our hot water supply. A newly drilled water well brings clear refreshing water up from the natural springs that run under the mountain. We overlook the largest lake in Andalucía and the thermals from the lake create cooling breezes which ensure a very pleasant temperature, both inside of the house and around our hilltop location (no need for air conditioning units) The 3 foot thick stone walls keep the house warm in winter and also cool in the hot Spanish summers. We have wooden shutters at all windows for the same reason.

There is plenty of outside garden space too - both sunny and shaded areas for you to relax with a glass of something refreshing or for dining ' al fresco' (large size barbecue for the true outdoor eating experience ! ) A unique 'Desert Oasis' style circular pool with a waterfall cascade and a sunbathing area invites one to luxuriate on the sunbeds under natural dried grass parasols. The gardens are designed to give full advantage of the views and to blend in with the olive groves. Locally quarried stone is used to give a natural feel to both the pool area and the pathways. The landscaping uses indigenous drought resistant plants, trees & shrubs throughout making care and watering eco friendly. Flowers, fruit trees & olive trees dominate the planting and simply brushing past the lavender, rosemary and jasmine which grows abundantly in the borders releases the most intoxicating scents. Numerous areas for strolling after meals, the old mule paths make for a lovely, easy walking excursion and you have free access to the olive groves all the way down to the lakeside. We can even supply a dog or two for company if you wish !

The owners, animal lovers, live on site in a separate part of the farm with their pets.They are available for help at all times to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible. A laundry and maid service can be arranged with them if required.

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About Murri Little

Hi, We are Murriel & Peter, originally from England. We were both born in Northumberland, near the famous Hadrians Roman Wall , but we did not meet until ( by sheer chance ) in 1990 after having travelled extensively and lived in many different countries all over the world. We have both had hectic and busy business careers and longed for a more relaxed way of life. After searching the length and breadth of Spain we stumbled upon this ancient ruin overlooking the shores of the biggest lake in Andalucía. Unspoilt, tranquil and teaming with wildlife and so very peaceful ......no nearby neighbours and therefore a very private location.......we just knew this was what we had been looking for ! We couldn't wait to buy it and start bringing the old place back to its former glory ! The house , Lady Constanzas Farm, used to be one of the large estates in the area owning thousands of acres of olive trees . Today we have only a small number of trees as the land has been divided up by the original owners and has been handed down to sons through the generations, this means the surrounding farmland has not changed much for the last 100 years. The house was not needed by the family and was left to go to ruin, only being sold when it was on the point of collapse ! We have spent the last five years restoring this lovely old house into a beautiful home. We love our lives here and would love you to share with us a little bit of heaven on earth ! We live on the property (next door). If you would like to get to know 'the real' Spain and perhaps join in with the local celebrations and fiestas we can organise excursions for you, recommend restaurants or places to visit or even arrange a Flamenco evening here at the farm within the inner courtyard ! We thoroughly enjoy entertaining and having people visit and would welcome you heartily to our region of Andalucía. If you would like more information on the area please email us and we will answer your questions. A warm welcome awaits you

Murri Little purchased this villa in 2009

Why Murri Little chose Iznajar

This area of central Andalucía is the true unspoilt Spain ! The scenery is rugged , the people are kind and genuine and the food and wine are delicious. This is an olive farming region of some repute. Our local area is famous for the very best olive oil in the entire world (competition Gold medalists every year ) Some of our olive groves were here in Roman times ! The province is also famous for Montilla wines ( sherry style wines ) and the Serrano hams, not to mention our acclaimed Anis Liquor, Rute Chocolates and Marzipan. We can arrange private visits to bodegas, factories and speciality restaurants. Because of the rugged terrain 'Extreme Sports' are popular in this region . We can arrange an accompanied day with experts in : caving, absailing, climbing, hiking, paragliding, rafting, canoeing, horse/ donkey riding and more ! Just ask us for details.

What makes this villa unique

The house is situated in the exact geographical centre of Andalucía, making day trips to all of the top cultural destinations so easy by car : central to many 'wish list' trips e.g : Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Ronda & Malaga. Theses are all within 1- 2 hours drive. There are also so many smaller towns and places of interest to visit in the nearby area - we would be happy to advise you on where to go and what to do. After a days sightseeing its lovely to return to Cortijo Dona Constanza, to relax. You will find this is the most ideal spot to unwind in ! Our pool faces due West and we love to sit and watch the spectacular sunsets with a glass of wine at the end of the day. After dark the skies are bright with stars ( there is very little light pollution here ) and we often can see the milky way , satellites and meteors. The moon seems to be so much bigger here too ! We have a clear view of the lake and the Cuevos San Marco dam ................its so romantic to sit outside on warm balmy evenings and take in all of the sights and sounds of the countryside. If you enjoy wildlife its a treat to watch the eagles, hawks, swifts, hare, wild goats, hoopoes and partridge traverse the skies and the land which surrounds the farm. We just love it here and we hope you will too !

2 holidaymaker reviews

An oasis of peace & quiet

We had the most wonderful family (kids 20/17/13) holiday at Cortijo Dona Constanza - this is a very comfortable home in beautiful, away from it all, surroundings.

The location is stunning - gorgeous 360 degree views over the olive groves and Lake at Iznajar - which is beautiful for swimming and great fun for canoeing, pedaloes etc. Complete peace and quiet.

Very easy to get to, about an hour from Malaga airport to being at the house, and very well placed for unmissable trips to Granada & Cordoba. We also went to the Restaurante Casa Piolas for a fabulous Heston type experience.

Murri and Peter were the most welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful hosts - all sorts of wonderful home grown and local produce would miraculously appear. Delicious.

Kids liked the wifi, I switched off from all things electronic and just enjoyed the tranquility. We had beautiful weather, wonderful long summers evenings, many spent cooking on the barbecue, enjoying the views. Good supermarket in Rute, food and drink very reasonably priced whether eating in or out.

We loved having the dogs around, I guess that may not be for everyone, we are dog owners and lovers so enjoyed the canine chat!

We thoroughly recommend this property - it has been lovingly and thoughtfully restored and is a real character house. Wonderful breezes keep it beautifully cool, even in the height of July / August, you will never tire of watching the view, cold glass of wine in hand.

We miss it!

Review Submitted: Dec 31, 2014

Date of Stay: Jul 2014

Source: Owners Direct, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Thank you for the review ! You were perfect guests and it was a pleasure to have you here.
We are happy to inform you that we have installed a second larger pool (9 x 4 meters ) great for swimming lengths ! That means that sunset cocktails ( adults only of course ! ) overlooking the lake are the 'order of the day' in the upper terrace circular pool. The pets have their own private garden now away from the guest villa , they are available upon request for those who wish canine company or as a companion for walks over the olive groves. Please come back and visit us again .
Murri & Peter

Fantastic Experience!!!

5
of 5

What a fantastic experience! From the start, I received a great welcome from Murri who provided some iced cool refreshments, nibbles and a tour of the villa upon arrival. The villa is very clean, well decorated and larger than I thought but perfect as I love space, the internet is great and the water as hot as you wish! Set high up in the hills within an olive grove overlooking a beautiful turquoise blue lake, it is simply amazing. Wake up in the morning, open the rustic doors into a stunning enclosed courtyard for breakfast, pick huge fresh grapes within the garden then chill out and sunbathe by the pool. I was lucky enough to have two weeks of nothing but sunshine.

Rute is just a couple of minutes drive or a peaceful walk along the track through the olive grove. I took my little dog Coco over and I can’t stress how well Murri, the villa and the security of it's grounds catered for her, it really made this holiday fantastic. The locals are extremely friendly and the food is fantastic. Be ready for free tapas when you order a drink :). I'll be returning for sure and can't wait!

Review Submitted: Sep 19, 2014

Date of Stay: Jul 2014

Source: Owners Direct, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Thank you for the lovely words, Matthew !
I am so happy that you enjoyed your stay with us as we truly enjoyed having you here ! Its so nice when clients become friends too and we look forward to seeing you back soon. Next time come when the figs are ready to eat - there are so many , an absolute abundance, and we need help eating them !
Murri & Peter

The property is central to many top cultural tourist destinations e.g : Cordoba, Granada, Antequera, Ronda, Seville & Malaga all within 1- 2 hours drive. Look at Spanish Tourist Board sites for these cities they are excellent & will give you all of the information on what to see and do. After a days sightseeing return to Cortijo Dona Constanza, this is the most ideal spot to unwind in ! We specialise in relaxing and chilling out !

Looking for the true unspoilt Spain ? This is an olive farming region of some repute. Our local area is famous for the very best olive oil in the entire world (competition Gold medallists every year ) Some of our olive groves were here in Roman times ! The province is also famous for Montilla wines and Serrano hams, not to mention our acclaimed Anis Liquor ( made with mountain herbs), Chocolates and Marzipan. We can arrange private visits to bodegas, factories and speciality restaurants.

Mountain Walking, Cycling, Motorbike road trips, Horseback or Donkey Riding, Sailing, Canoeing, Fishing, Wildlife / Bird Watching, Para sailing, White Water Rafting, Absailing, Caving and Stargazing adventures can all be organised for you by the owners of this property.

Additional pricing information

Fees

No additional mandatory fees

Refundable Damage Deposit

£300

Please Note: The owner of this property accepts payment in the original currency specified (GBP), before use of conversion tool. The conversion tool is provided for your convenience only. The owner may accept other currencies if specifically agreed in advance.

There are five good sized bedrooms : 1 with super king size bed ( this can be changed into two single beds if preferred ) 1 with king size bed on the ground floor and is 'en suite', 1 with twin beds , 2 with double beds ( all rooms have an uninterrupted view of either lake or mountains ) there are bathrooms situated ( in the middle of ) between every two bedrooms. The extra large sofa in the living room can be used as a single bed too - giving one more sleeping space.All beds have fine white or cream coloured linen , plenty of pillows and, duvets, blankets or quilts as the weather dictates

Entertainment:

Books ...

DVD Player

Music Library ...

Satellite / Cable ...

Stereo ...

Television ...

Outside:

Balcony ...

Beach Umbrellas

Terrace ...

Deck Furniture

Garden ...

Outdoor Furniture

Barbecue ...

Veranda ...

Suitability:

Events Allowed

Groups

Long-term Renters Welcome

Singles

pets considered ...

wheelchair inaccessible ...

Pool / Spa:

Private Pool ...

Onsite Services:

Housekeeping

Private Chef

Attractions:

bay

botanical garden

caves

churches

cinemas

festivals

forests

library

live theatre

museums

playground

pond

recreation centre

restaurants

ruins

synagogues

waterfalls

winery tours

Leisure Activities:

beachcombing

bird watching

eco tourism

horse riding

paddle boating

photography

scenic drives

sight seeing

walking

Local Services & Businesses:

ATM/bank

Babysitter

fitness centre

groceries

hospital

massage therapist

medical services

Sports & Adventure Activities:

cycling

equestrian events

fishing

freshwater fishing

hiking

hunting small game

mountain biking

mountain climbing

mountaineering

paragliding

rafting

sailing

caving

swimming

tennis

whitewater rafting

Notes:

Suitable for any outdoor activities or adventures - including donkey or horse riding, paragliding, abseiling, caving, walking, hiking, cycling, motorbiking, rafting, canoeing, bird watching, hunting and more, but just as good for relaxing and unwinding too. The hiring of canoes , sail boats and pedallos is available at the lakeside beach. Bike hire can be arranged too. There are motorboat trips around the lake for the less active ! We have a local rare breed Donkey Sanctuary - fun for children to see ! Visit our numerous top tourist cultural destinations as day trips : Seville , Cordoba, Granada and Malaga are all within easy driving distance. Sample fine food and wines locally and at very reasonable prices. A holiday that can be anything that you would like it to be: Relaxing - Sporty - Adventurous - Cultural - Gourmet ! The choice is yours - come and enjoy central Andalucia